Corbett takes more time on Pa. Lottery strategy

HARRISBURG, Pa.— Gov. Tom Corbett is taking more time to decide whether to challenge Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s rejection of his effort to hire a British firm to manage the $3.5 billion Pennsylvania Lottery.

A Department of Revenue spokeswoman said Friday the administration and London-based Camelot Global Services agreed to extend the firm’s bid through March 18. Spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell says the administration has a March 16 deadline to appeal Kane’s decision in court.

Kane said last week she wouldn’t approve Camelot’s 20- to 30-year contract because state law doesn’t allow the governor to privatize the management of the lottery nor does it allow the expansion of gambling that the contract would permit.

The contract’s legality is also being challenged in court by Democratic lawmakers and the union that represents lottery employees.